Safiu Kehinde
Labour Party’s 2023 Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has charged Nigerians to demand transparency from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over the “financial constraints” claim to hinder fuel supply.
Obi made this charge in a post on X handle on Tuesday while accusing NNPCL of shrouding its activities in secrecy.
Reacting to the NNPCL’s admittance of $6 billion debt to suppliers, Obi questioned the claim by a company that declared $3 trillion profit in 2023.
“Nigerians must stop at nothing in demanding transparency in the operations of government especially critical agencies like the state-owned NNPCL whose activities appear to be shrouded in secrecy.
“The conflicting reports on subsidy payments have left Nigerians in the dark, unsure of what is happening in this all-important company.
“It is very curious that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) which declared a N3 trillion profit in 2023, is coming up with a bizarre claim of “financial constraints” in supplying fuel.” Obi wrote.
The former Anambra governor stressed further on how NNPCL had denied supply of crude oil to local refineries which would have eased the surge of fuel scarcity.
He called for transparency in NNPCL’s operations, financial dealings, and plans for the future, as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“The fuel scarcity crisis, characterized by endless queues, and untold hardship, is a direct result of the government’s ineptitude.
“The $20 billion Dangote Refinery and other Modular Refineries’ struggles to secure crude oil supply and NNPCL’s search for outside operators for its refineries are further proof of this administration’s gross incompetence.
“We demand a better level of transparency in NNPCL’s operations, financial dealings, and plans for the future.
“The Petroleum Industry Act mandates an open and transparent NNPCL, we should not stand idly by while this government violates our laws.
“We demand that this administration come clean on these issues and take responsibility for the mess it has created.
“We should not rest until we uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable. The Nigerian people deserve better.” Obi added.